Fleet Reduced From 79 to 31
Page 36
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AN appeal to the Transport Tribunal by C. Bristow, Ltd., of Solebay Street, London, E.3, against a refusal by the Metropolitan Deputy Licensing Authority to grant a variation of an A licence by adding to it 41 vehicles and some trailers, opened in London on Monday.
Mr: C. R. Beddington (for Bristows) said there was a considerable history behind the application to the deputy Licensing Authority.
In 1958 investigations were opened by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority into the licensed vehicles of what was loosely called the Davis Group of Companies, of which the appellants were the biggest.
It was discovered that a number of vehicles had been licensed because of false information and that statements of intention had not been fulfilled.
An appeal was made unsuccessfully to the Transport Tribunal in December, 1959, who then described the matter as "the most serious case of wrongdoing that has come to our notice and one that should be treated as such."
Six Vehicles Granted
The Tribunal revoked A licences involving 47 vehicles. The same month Bristow's were successful in respect of six A vehicles when they applied for renewal of licences.
In June, 1960, there was a further reduction in the company's fleet by seven vehicles—not the result of any licensing offences. This meant that the number of A-licensed vehicles had been reduced from 79 in 1959 to 31 in 1960.
Mr. Beddington said that after a letter from the Metropolitan Authority's clerk assuring the company that the past would be forgotten, Bristows lodged an application for licences for 41 vehicles.
A public inquiry was held in December, 1960, by the deputy Licensing Authority when evidence was given by customers who said they had not been able to find satisfactory alternative haulage firms.
In a written decision in January, the deputy Authority said that he could not accept that there were no alternative hauliers able to provide a satisfactory service.
Mr. Beddington said that as there had been evidence of demand for new traffic the deputy Authority granted licences for four vehicles to cater for it. He said the deputy Authority had been influenced in his decision by the company's past history.
" In my submission that is wrong and contrary to all principles. You should not hold against an applicant what he has been punished for."
Sir Hubert Hull, the president, said the Tribunal had no intention of taking into account the past licensing offences. They would treat the appellants solely as the holders of a licence asking for additional vehicles to be added to it. The hearing continued.